Owning a budget smartphone like the Redmi 9 is often accompanied by intrusive banner ads that appear in the most unexpected places in the system.This is a fee for the affordable cost of the device, but users do not have to put up with constant interruptions in the interface. Modern versions of the MIUI shell provide enough tools to customize, allowing you to significantly reduce the amount of visual noise without obtaining superuser rights.
The process of clearing the system of marketing content requires a series of actions in different sections of the menu. It is important to understand that there is no single “Remove everything” button, so you need to go to the key points where advertising modules are most often activated.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that is relevant for the Xiaomi Redmi 9 model and other devices of the brand. We will touch on system settings, specific application parameters and network configurations. Following the instructions, you can turn your gadget into a pure tool for work and entertainment, free from intrusive marketing.
Disabling MSA Service is the Basis of a Clean System
The first and most important step is to deactivate the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which is responsible for collecting data on user behavior and displaying targeted ads in standard applications. Without disabling this module, other settings may not be effective, as the service will constantly try to download new content.
To start, you need to go to the smartphone settings menu. Find the Password and Security section and select Access to Personal Data. From the app list that opens, find msa and put the switch to the inactive position. The system will warn you that some features may stop working correctly, and will suggest waiting 10 seconds before confirming.
When the timer runs out, press the "Disable" button. If the first time the shutdown did not occur (the slider returned to its original position), repeat the procedure 3-4 times in a row. This is a common feature of the MIUI interface, which requires persistence from the user. After a successful shutdown, the service will cease to start automatically when the system starts.
💡
If the msa service is constantly turning back on, try first to turn off the Internet, turn off the settings, and then turn the network back on.
It is worth noting that disabling MSA does not affect the operation of basic phone functions such as calls or messages.It is exclusively an advertising agent that can be safely removed from the autoload process. However, in some regions or firmware versions, the name of the service may vary slightly, so carefully read the list.
Set up personalized advertising in your Mi Account
The second layer of protection means that your data is not used to generate advertising offers. Xiaomi collects information about the applications and websites visited to show more relevant ads. Disabling this feature breaks the link between your online behavior and the manufacturer’s advertising servers.
To do this, go back to Password and Security and look for Privacy, and you're interested in the Advertising Services tab, and inside you'll see the Personalized Ads switch, which is active by default, and you need to deactivate it.
Also in the same menu, click on the Reset Ad ID button, which generates a new random ID, breaking the link to the previously collected user profile, and then the ad networks will consider your device as new, which will temporarily reduce the frequency of targeted banners.
☑️ Checking the privacy settings
It is important to understand the difference between removing ads completely and limiting their personalization. We have forbidden the system to analyze your actions, but the ad blocks in system applications may remain.
Cleaning system applications from banners
Even after the MSA service is disabled, individual embedded applications can continue to show recommendations and news, including the standard Explorer, the Security app, and the system launcher, each with its own content display settings that need to be checked manually.
Start with the Security app, which is often the main source of pop-ups. Open it, click on the settings gear in the top right corner. Find the Receive recommendations section and turn it off. Also, go to the Cleanup section inside the app's settings and remove the tick from the "Show ads after cleaning."
Then we go to the standard file explorer. Open the application, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings. In the About section, find the Recommendation switch and turn it off. This will remove the advertising tape on the Explorer's start page.
Don’t forget to check the theme and app store settings for GetApps. Go to your profile in the app store, then to Settings, and turn off auto-update and personalized recommendations. Themes app similarly needs to find settings and remove the tick from Show Ads or Recommendations.
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Settings (cogs) | Receive recommendations |
| Conductor | Settings -> About the application | Recommendations |
| Music. | Settings -> Advanced | Showing advertisements |
| Downloads. | Three points -> Settings | Showing Recommended Content |
What to do if the settings are reset?
Managing notifications and pop-ups
Users often confuse system advertising with intrusive notifications from installed applications. Browsers, games, and utilities can request permission to display notifications that masquerade as system messages. Control over this data stream is in your hands through the notification management menu.
Go to Settings -> Notifications and Status bar -> Notification Management. This is a complete list of apps that can display messages on the lock screen or in the curtain. Go through the list and turn off notifications for suspicious or rarely used programs.
You should pay special attention to MIUI Browser or Chrome if you are actively using them. Their settings often hide items about news feeds and recommendations. It is best to use third-party browsers such as Firefox or Brave, which have built-in ad blockers.
There is also an ad blocker feature in the browser settings, but it often works incorrectly. DNS-This will allow you to block ad domains at the level of the entire device, not just in one application.
Using a Private DNS to Block Advertising
One of the most effective methods that doesn’t require third-party software is to configure a private DNS (Domain Name System) that redirects requests to known ad servers to nowhere, preventing banners from loading in apps and browsers. On Redmi 9 with Android 9 and above, this feature is built into the system.
To activate, open Settings, select Connection and Sharing (or simply "Wi-Fi and Internet"). DNS (Private DNS). The default is "Auto" or "Disabled." Select "Host Name Provider" mode. DNS» (or “Manual”) and enter the address: dns.adguard.com.
dns.adguard.comOnce you save the settings, the phone can lose its Internet connection for a second, and then restore it, and you'll notice that the amount of ads in apps and games has dropped significantly, and this method also increases security by blocking access to phishing sites.
⚠️ Note: If you have entered the address DNS Incorrectly or the server is not available, the Internet on the phone may stop working, in which case, simply return the setting to Auto mode or delete the entered address.
Advantage of use DNS-The filtering method is that it doesn't consume the battery in the same way as the root-righted blockers working in the background, but it doesn't block ads in Google's own apps and YouTube, as they are transmitted from the same domains as useful content.
Additional measures and optimization of MIUI
After completing the basic steps to disable ads, it is recommended to conduct an audit of installed applications. Often, hidden modules are installed on the phone along with free programs that generate pop-ups on the desktop. Check the list of applications for unnamed icons you do not know.
You should also disable automatic recommendations in folders. If you create folders with applications on your desktop, MIUI can offer to download similar games. To remove this, open any folder, click on its name and turn off the item "Recommended Apps".
Remember to update your system regularly. While newer versions of MIUI sometimes bring new ad modules, they also contain security patches and improvements in privacy management.
💡
A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, configuring DNS and manually cleaning applications, ensures maximum comfort with the Redmi 9.
In conclusion, we should mention the feature "Accelerate Games", which can also be used in the sentences. Go to the application Security -> Accelerate Games -> settings (cogs) and turn off all notifications and recommendations, which will ensure a complete immersion in the gameplay without interruptions.